Coupling effects of irrigation and nitrogen on spring maize yield and greenhouse gas emissions in Northwestern China
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Optimizing irrigation and nitrogen management in spring maize production is crucial for increasing crop yield and water use efficiency while simultaneously reducing soil greenhouse gas emissions. The study identified medium irrigation with 120 kg N/ha as the optimal strategy for sustainable agriculture.
Area Of Science
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Soil Science
Background
- Investigated the coupled effects of irrigation and nitrogen (N) on spring maize yield and soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Aimed to achieve water savings, high yield, and emission reductions in agricultural practices.
- Utilized field experiments with varying irrigation (low, medium, high) and N application (40, 80, 120, 160 kg N ha⁻¹) levels.
Purpose Of The Study
- To analyze the impact of different irrigation and N management strategies on GHG emissions.
- To determine the optimal balance between GHG emissions, water conservation, and grain yield in spring maize cultivation.
Main Methods
- Conducted field experiments with spring maize under three irrigation levels (IL, IM, IH) and four N application rates (N40, N80, N120, N160).
- Measured soil N₂O, CO₂, and CH₄ fluxes, soil moisture, and inorganic N content.
- Employed the TOPSIS method to evaluate treatments based on yield, water use efficiency, global warming potential, and GHG intensity.
Main Results
- Lower irrigation (IL) and N application (N40) generally reduced N₂O and CO₂ emissions and increased CH₄ uptake.
- Maize yield showed a non-linear response, increasing initially and then decreasing with higher irrigation and N levels.
- The medium irrigation and 120 kg N/ha (IMN120) treatment yielded the highest grain yield (14,686.26 kg ha⁻¹), water use efficiency (3.51 kg m⁻³), while maintaining low global warming potential and GHG intensity.
Conclusions
- Optimized irrigation and N management are essential for sustainable agriculture, balancing crop productivity with environmental protection.
- Strategic application of water and nitrogen can significantly mitigate soil GHG emissions.
- The IMN120 strategy represents an optimal approach for enhancing spring maize yield and water use efficiency while reducing environmental impact.
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